Magnetic Embellishment Snap System and Embellishment Snap Retrofit Kit

ABSTRACT

This non-provisional patent pertains to a new and improved decorative magnetic snap system to aesthetically embellish articles such as wearing apparel, accessories, and interior decor, allowing one to interchange decorative embellishments day to day. This novel improved embellishment snap system can be sold in a variety of retrofitting kits or inserted into an article for the purpose of interchanging decorative ornaments on an object. The improved system would allow one to aesthetically change the appearance of an item infinitely, by means of a strong magnetic bond and reinforced structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People often buy multiple handbags, shoes, scarves, belts, and hats tocoordinate with an outfit worn on any given day. Moreover, people wantmany articles to be visually customized, as not to be consideredredundant or uninteresting. For example: One might buy or own manysuits, dresses, and blouses and desire a matching handbag for eachoutfit. Similarly, one may want to customize throw pillows to decorate achair, bed, or sofa for each season of the year. Buying a new handbagfor each outfit and new throw pillows for each season of the year isproblematic, because the cost per item can easily exceed $100.

Currently, the embellishments used are permanent by means of sewing orgluing them into place or are secured by poorly structured systems tointerchange embellishments using snaps and/or clips. As a result, anembellishment can sag or droop away from the item it has been affixedto. Prior art does not provide sufficient means for protecting the itemit has been embedded into from damage. Consequently, because of thislack of protection, the current embellishment snaps can also causeirritation to the user. Prior art does not allow a means to easilyinsert embellishment snaps to an item not previously fitted, thereforeone must have special craftsman skills to insert an embellishment snapinto an article or buy an article already fixed with an embellishmentsnap.

Thus it can be seen that needs exist for a new and improvedembellishment snap system for attaching interchangeable embellishmentsand/or decorations to an article. It is to the provision of these needsand others that the present invention is primarily directed.

Definitions

Invention: The term “invention” is used herein merely to relate to theinventive idea that is the subject of this Provisional PatentApplication to refer to the “concept” being presented. The term“invention” shall not be construed to mean the “literal and legal”translation of the term “invention”; instead it shall pertain to the“concept” being presented. When this Provisional Patent Application isclaimed as preference for the future non-provisional patent applicationthen the term “invention” shall be taken at full face value of the“literal and legal” translation of the term.: The term “invention” isused herein merely to relate to the inventive idea that is the subjectof this Provisional Patent Application to refer to the “concept” beingpresented. The term “invention” shall not be construed to mean the“literal and legal” translation of the term “invention”; instead itshall pertain to the “concept” being presented. When this ProvisionalPatent Application is claimed as preference for the futurenon-provisional patent application then the term “invention” shall betaken at full face value of the “literal and legal” translation of theterm.

Article: We shall refer to the term article to define any physicalobject that may have the characteristics of wearing apparel,accessories, personal effects, etc., such as but not limited to,handbags, back packs, diaper bags, travel/tote bags, hats, shoes, belts,knit caps, jewelry, sandals, clothing, hair accessories, homeaccessories, lamps, chairs, throw pillows, furniture, etc.

Embellishment: The term “embellishment” shall refer to a decorativeornament.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to a method and design whereby magnetic sectionsare coupled as a means of connecting interchangeable visualembellishments to articles such as handbags, hats, shoes, belts,jewelry, accessories, home furnishings, pillows, and clothing.

This filing teaches the advantages of a magnetic embellishment snapsystem which improves the structure and strong bond between an articleand an interchangeable embellishment. The advantage of the proposedinvention is allowing one to safely, easily, and sufficiently coordinateand customize clothing, shoes, accessories, and interior decor moreeconomically.

What is not previously taught as pertinent to the subject art is currentembellishment snaps do not have a means to prevent irritation or damageto the article it is attached to, or the user wearing it. In this filingan improved design is proposed that is comprised of a protective coverplaced on the backing of the snap, or otherwise, to protect the userfrom irritation or damage to an article.

In addition, what is not previously taught as pertinent to the subjectart is that lack of construction is problematic because the weight of aheavy or large embellishments can pull on existing snaps, causing thedecorative appendage to sag or droop away from an article. This fillingteaches the advantages of a magnetic embellishment snap system whichsecures a decorative ornamentation with structured, reinforcementelements, creating a strong magnetic hold. This improved designeliminates drooping or sagging, therefore allowing one to easilyinterchange ornamental objects without unexpected malfunctions.

Moreover, what is not previously taught as pertinent to the art is ameans to prevent articles and embellishments from being damaged by theprongs or studs inserted in a pre-punched opening of an article and/orembellishment. This filing teaches the advantages of an embellishmentsnap that includes an element that is placed in between the article andthe underside of the magnetic snap. The goal of this element is toprevent the prongs or studs from sliding or pulling and ripping anarticle in a damaging way. Similarly, the embellishment, mated to fitthe first snap section affixed to an article, is designed to include anelement that is placed in between the embellishment and the underside ofthe snap. The goal of this element is to prevent the prongs or studsfrom damaging the decorative embellishment.

Furthermore, prior art is problematic because it references wearingapparel and accessories with only an embedded means of attachment, whichwould exclude the ability to attach interchangeable attachments to anexisting article not previously fitted, or that does not already includea snap. This filing teaches the advantages of having a variety ofretrofitting magnetic embellishment snap kits, comprised of all thenecessary elements, and can be inserted to retrofit an existing articleof clothing or otherwise, not previously fitted, or that does notalready include an embellishment snap.

The proposed invention is such that one can easily retrofit a magneticsnap to an article. Prior art teaches one must be skilled in the art ofsewing or otherwise to retro fit and reinforce a snap with additionalsewing and other techniques. This filing teaches the advantages of usinga system to make affixing a functional embellishment snap to an articleand/or embellishment simple, without requiring one to have specializedcraftsmen skills.

This new and improved embellishment snap system is comprised of twomagnetic snap sections and a set of supporting elements. The first snapsection is secured to an article. The second snap section is adapted tobe received by the first, using a strong magnetized bond. The secondpart is also fitted with at least one visual ornament. The third elementis fitted between the underside of the first snap section and article toprevent tearing to the article. The fourth element is fitted between theunderside of the second snap section and the decorative embellishment toprevent ripping or tearing to the decorative embellishment. The fifthelement is a protective cover applied to the backing of the adjoinedfirst and third part, to prevent irritation or damage to the articlefitted with the snap or the user wearing an article fitted with thesnap. In addition to these elements, another part can be added inbetween the first snap section and third part, to improve the structureand strength of the snap attached to the article. Similarly, anadditional part can be added in between the second snap section andfourth element, to improve the structure of the decorativeembellishment.

In still another aspect, the new and improved invention relates to avariety of novel kits that can be used to retrofit a magneticembellishment snap to an existing article that has not been previouslyfitted with a magnetic embellishment snap. For example, a kit canconsist of all the present invention elements necessary to retro fit atleast one magnetic embellishment snap system to an article.

These and other appearances, components, and benefits of the inventionwill be known by mention to the drawing figures and a completeexplanation included. It is to be understood that both the followingconcise recount of the drawings and detailed concealment and operationof the invention are correct and informative of the preferred structureof the invention, and are not confining of the invention, as declared.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures provided herein are not necessarily drawn to scale, withsome components and features exaggerated for clarity. Of these:

FIG. 1 is a view of an article 10 equipped with present invention 20,shown with an embellishment 80 coupled to the snap.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the article 10 and present invention 20of FIG. 1, showing the part 31 detached from mated part 30.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded drawing of the complete structure and assemblyof all the parts 30,31,40,50,51,60,61, and 70 used to couple anembellishment to an article.

FIG. 4 shows 18, a close-up exploded drawing of the elements 50, 60, and70 used to reinforce and cover the partial snap element 30 connected tothe article 10.

FIG. 5 shows 19, a close-up exploded drawing of elements 40, 51, and 61used to assemble the snap section 31, connected to the embellishment 80.

FIG. 6 shows example embodiment of magnetic sections 30 and 31, adaptedto be coupled together.

FIG. 7 shows example embodiment of structured elements 50 and 51 used tosupport the mass of the magnetic parts 30 and 31 shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows example embodiment of elements 60 and 61 used to preventmagnetic parts 30 and 31 from damaging an article or embellishment.

FIG. 9 shows example embodiment of protective covering 70.

FIG. 10 Shows example embodiment of articles fitted with partial snap 18of the present invention 20.

FIG. 11 Shows example of retrofit embellishment snap kit. This kit iscomprised of at least one assembled embellishment elements 19 and atleast one of parts 30, 70, 60, and 50. The goal of this kit is to enableuser to fix the present invention 20 to an article not already fittedwith an embellishment snap.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a retrofit embellishment snap kit with atleast one of parts 61, 51, 31, 30, 50, 60, and 70. This kit does notinclude an embellishment 80.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a retrofit magnetic embellishment snapkit comprised of at least one of parts 30, 50, 60, and 70.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a retrofit magnetic embellishment snapkit comprised of at least one of parts 30, 31, 40, 50, 51, 60, 61, 70,and 80.

FIG. 15 depicts a close-up view of assembled embellishment elements 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to thefollowing detailed description of the invention taken in connection withthe accompanying drawing figures, which form part of this disclosure.With reference now to the drawing figures, FIGS. 1-2 show an article 10and magnetic snap system 20, according to the example embodiment of thepresent invention. The present invention provides a improved system tosupport varying sizes and weights of interchangeable embellishmentsequipped to an article. An article refers to, but not limited to:wearing apparel, accessories, shoes, home accessories, etc. By applyingthe use of this novel means to interconnect an embellishment to anarticle, one may customize and change the appearance of an article in aneasy economical way.

As shown in FIG. 2 it can be seen how the snap system 20 operates. Thefirst section 30 is made to fit the complementary second section 31. Thefirst section 30 is inserted into an article by pre-punching holes withknown tools into an article. An example of embodiment of the snap 20 ofthe present invention is depicted in FIG. 6 showing magnetic snapsections 30 and 31. The example magnetic sections shown have twovertically placed prongs on the back of each snap piece that can befolded inward or outward by manually adjusting the prongs with a knowntool. The style of the magnetic snap sections can vary in size, shape,and thickness depending on the desire of the user. Depending on thematerial, the first section 30 can also be inserted into an article andheld into place by adhesive, sewing, stapling, crimping, force-fit, etc.for which tools are available and can be done manually or by machine.The second section 31 is affixed with a decorative embellishment 80 bypre-punching holes intended for the prongs of the snap to be insertedinto the first layer of embellishment 40. The style of first layer ofembellishment 40 can vary in size, shape, and thickness depending on thedesire of the user. The first layer 40 can be glued, sewn, or otherwise,onto embellishment 80. The second section 31 can also be attached todecorative embellishment 80 with glue, epoxy, sewn together, weldedtogether, etc. A decoration or embellishment 80 can vary as desired bythe user, and nothing in this specification is intended to limit thedefinition to any particular type of ornamental feature or structure.However, in commercial embodiments of the present invention, examples ofdecorative embellishments 80 includes flowers, bows, jeweled shapes,tassels, ties, monograms, hearts, cartoon characters, stones, gems,sequins, etc.

In addition to these parts, FIG. 3-5 show the example embodiments of thepresent invention 20 which is comprised of structural pieces 50 and 51,to support the weight and size of 80. As shown, the structural piece 50is secured to the prongs of section 30 after inserted into an article10. Furthermore, the structural piece 51 is secured to the prongs of thesection 31 once inserted in the first layer 40 of embellishment 80.Structural pieces 50 and 51 can be made from one or more materialsincluding plastic, rubber, metal, or any other material as desired byuser. The style of structural pieces 50 and 51 can vary in size, shape,and thickness depending on the desire of the user. FIG. 7 depictsexample embodiments of structural parts 50 and 51. These structuralparts are designed to be fitted around the prongs of each magnetic snappart 30 and 31. This can be done by pushing the prongs of the snapthrough the holes in the structural parts manually or by known tools, asshown in FIG. 5-4. A goal of the structural parts 50 and 51 is to securethe snap into place and prevent the embellishment 80 from pulling awayor drooping from an article. Another goal of structural parts 50 and 51allows one skilled or not skilled in the art of sewing, or otherwise, toeasily retrofit the present invention to an article and/orembellishment.

The example embodiment of the snap 20 according to the present inventionalso comprises of parts 60 and 61, as depicted, to prevent the prongs ofthe magnetic studs from ripping article 10 or first layer 40 ofembellishment. Parts 60 and 61 can be made from one or more materialsincluding plastic, rubber, metal, or any other material as desired byuser. The style of 60 and 61 can vary in size, shape, and thicknessdepending on the desire of the user. FIG. 8 shows example embodiment ofparts 60 and 61, which can be used to hold the magnetic studs intoplace, to prevent slippage of prongs or studs, as depicted in FIG. 3-5.A goal of parts 60 and 61 is to prevent tearing or ripping caused by theprongs or studs of the snap to an article and/or embellishment. Anothergoal of these parts is to allow one skilled or not skilled in the art ofsewing or other wise to be able to easily retrofit the magneticembellishment snap to an article and/or embellishment, without having toimplement complicated craftsman skills. Furthermore, parts 60 and 61 canbe used as a measuring guide to help the user mark points on an articlewhere then the prongs or stud of the snap can be inserted into.

FIGS. 3,4, 9 depicts the example embodiment of the protective covering70 used to cover the backside of the snap 20, and parts 50 and 60therein, affixed to an article. The protective cover 70 is designed tocover the underside of the partial snap system 18, inserted into anarticle, to minimize irritation or damaged caused by friction. Theprotective cover 70, as depicted, can be made from one or more materialsincluding plastic, rubber, rubber foam, metal, felt, moleskin, or anyother material as desired by user. In addition, the protective cover 70can be permanently affixed, semi-permanently affixed, or releasablyaffixed to the underside of the par snap system 18, inserted in anarticle, with adhesive, epoxy, welding, sewn together, etc. The style ofprotective cover 70 can vary in size, shape, and thickness depending onthe desire of the user. Furthermore, protective cover 70 can also beused by temporarily protecting the frontal face of section 30 and/orsection 31 as the prongs of section 30 and/or section 31 are manuallyadjusted into place with a known tool. The goal of using protectivecover 70, in this manner, is to prevent the face of section 30 frombeing scratched by the known tool used to adjust the prongs of sections30 and 31.

FIG. 10 shows example embodiments of articles that can be fitted withthe present invention, as depicted in FIG. 3 Embellishments can be matedto partial snap system 18 inserted into articles such as, but notlimited to: handbags, shoes, hats, belts, pillows, sandals, clothing,jewelry, headbands, clutches, home accessories, scarves, knitted hats,backpacks, etc. A single item can be fitted with at least one ormultiple magnetic snap systems. The present invention can be arranged inany single way to an article or in a combination of ways. The inventionherein disclosed can be used with materials including, but not limitedto cloth, leather, plastic, metal, and wood.

The present invention also comprises of several retrofitting kits asshown in FIG. 11-14. The kit shown in FIG. 11 is comprised of at leastone assembled embellishment elements 19 and at least one of all parts30, 70, 60, and 50. The goal of this kit is to enable the user to fixthe present invention 20 to an article not already fitted with anembellishment snap. The commercial aspect of this kit is to allow onewith or without special craftsmanship skills in the art of sewing orotherwise, to easily retrofit the present invention with an articleusing simple directions.

The kit shown in FIG. 12 shows an example of a retrofit embellishmentsnap kit that comprises of at least one of each parts 61, 51, 31, 30,50, 60, and 70, but does not include embellishment 80. One goal of thiskit is to enable a user to fix a new and improved magnetic embellishmentsnap system to an article not already fitted with an embellishment snap.Another goal of this kit is to supply the user with the means to fit aunique customized embellishment to an article by the present invention.

The retrofit kit shown in FIG. 13 depicts a retrofit kit comprised of atleast one of each parts 30, 50, 60, and 70. The goal of this kit is toenable a user to retrofit the partial invention 18 to an article, notpreviously fitted with an embellishment snap. The commercial aspect ofthis kit is to allow the user to buy assembled embellishment elements 19separately from the parts used to insert a magnetic snap system into anarticle.

The retrofit kit shown in FIG. 14 depicts a retro fit kit comprised ofat least one of each parts 30, 31, 40, 50, 51, 60, 61, 70, and 80. Thegoal of this kit is to allow the user to assemble the complete presentinvention as desired. This kit allows the user to have access to all theparts necessary to easily retro fit an embellishment to an article.

FIG. 15 shows a close-up view of the embodiments of assembledembellishment elements 19. In this example embodiment it can be seen howa decorative embellishment is assembled using parts 40, 51, 61, and 80.

Variations

While the invention has been described with reference to preferred andexample embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within thescope of the invention as described.

It is contemplated that any optional feature of the inventive variationsdescribed may be set forth and claimed independently, or in combinationwith any one or more of the features described herein. Reference to asingular item, includes the possibility that there is a plurality of thesame items present.

What I claim is:
 1. An improved magnetic embellishment snap system thatallows a user the means to connect interchangeable visual embellishmentsto accessories by retrofitting it to home furnishings, clothing, etc.;the snap system comprising: a first section having a base that issecured to the accessory and comprised of structural parts to reinforcethe weight and size of the visual embellishment; and a complementarysecond section adapted to be connected to the first section, a portionof the second section being configured to be affixed to a visualembellishment and comprised of structural parts to reinforce the weightand size of the visual embellishment.
 2. The improved magneticembellishment snap system claim 1, where in the first section insertsinto an accessory or article using prongs protruding from the firstsection and has at least one structural piece designed to be fittedaround the prongs of the magnetic snap to support the weight and size ofthe decorative embellishment.
 3. The improved magnetic embellishmentsnap system claim 2, where in the second section fits into the first andis also attached to a decorative embellishment using prongs protrudingfrom the second section and has at least one structural piece designedto be fitted around the prongs of the magnetic snap to support theweight and size of the decorative embellishment.
 4. The improvedmagnetic embellishment snap system claim 4, wherein a protective coveris included to cover the underside of the first snap section, oneinserted into an article, to minimize irritation or damage caused byfriction.
 5. A kit for retrofitting accessories with interchangeableembellishments comprising: at least one magnetic snap having a firstsection and a second section. at least one structural piece used tosupport the weight of the embellishment. At least one structural piecebeing the size and shape of the magnetic snap with two slits and can befitted around the prongs of the inserted snap and also used as ameasuring tool when retrofitting snap into accessory. at least oneprotective backing to be placed of the backside of the snap retrofittedinto an accessory.
 6. The kit claim 17, comprising of plurality ofembellished objects attached to the second section.